A View from the Bridge Role of Alfieri

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Introduction

A View from the Bridge - Role of Alfieri The play, 'A View from the Bridge,' is based on the Sicilian community within the Red Hook harbour area of Brooklyn, New York and focuses mainly on the problems of the Carbone family. Alfieri plays one of the most important roles in, as the chorus, narrator and character throughout the play. He is a friend and lawyer to the Carbone family and is both actively and passively involved in their problems. Alfieri plays an important role as a narrator as he introduces the theme of justice. He tells the audience that to meet a lawyer in the streets of Red Hook is considered to be unlucky and that, "In Sicily, from where their fathers came, the law has not been a friendly idea since the Greeks were beaten." This quote tells us that the Sicilian community distrusted a law put in a legal context and therefore do no abide by it. This could be because of the way they were brought up, usually following tribal laws which shows that the attitude to law amongst the Sicilians is ancient and powerful. Alfieri is able to go over the themes of law and justice throughout the play as it is important to the conflict and tragedy later on in the play. ...read more.

Middle

His words explains that nobody could do anything to alter the situations and also hints that there is going to be bloodshed already telling the audience that there is going to be a death. In addition to this, further into the play Alfieri foretells us of anything bad that is going to happen by using words and phrases such as 'alarm' and "a mystery...like a dark figure walking down a hall." These words and phrases add to the dramatic tension that Alfieri has already created. Using 'dark figure' is very mysterious in itself as we are not sure of whom the figure is and it seems chilling. Alfieri creates suspense by giving away warnings of what is to come in the play without giving away too much information. Thus, we can see that as a chorus figure Alfieri is able to create suspense and build up tension within the play allowing the audience o what to know more about what is to happen. In many ways, Alfieri's vantage point can be seen as the view from the bridge as he is the only person in the play who can straddle the boundaries of tribal and state laws. This shows his allegiance to both communities as he is able to see both their points of views. ...read more.

Conclusion

Hence Miller uses Alfieri to give the audience an insight into the Sicilian ethics and culture. Alfieri also possesses the most hailed and desirable idea of masculinity compared to the rest of the characters because of this ability to "settle for half" and compromise his beliefs for what the best as well as having authority and fitting into Eddie's vie of masculinity. This allows the audience to see what the preferred view of masculinity is. In conclusion, I think that Alfieri is the most significant role in the play as he portrays many things to the audience. He gives background information on the area and characters, establishes the themes and ideas that are important to the play and gives Eddie essential advice. Alfieri also adds dramatic tension and depth to the play as he foretells coming events and their nature hence fulfilling his role as chorus, narrator and character. General comments and grade: A* 36+ V detailed and secure knowledge of text. Expression is a little awkward in places and confuses meaning. V good use of textual evidence to support your comments. You say in your conclusion quite rightly that he establishes themes and ideas. Perhaps it's worth mentioning earlier on in the essay what these themes and ideas are (other than the difference between Sicilian and American law) ?? ?? ?? ?? ...read more.

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